4 answers
justin
Student
Kailua, Hawaii
4
Questions
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How much do mechanics get paid?
Interested in mechanics #mechanic #cars #automotive
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4 answers
James SARGENT
Machine opt
54
Answers
Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Updated
James’s Answer
Around 60 thousand a year
John Gauthier
Director
9
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
John’s Answer
It might be valuable to know HOW mechanics get paid, specifically: hourly pay vs. flat rate pay.
Hourly pay is as you expect: if you work 40 hours, you get paid 40 hours at whatever your negotiated pay is. This is generally how new mechanics are paid.
Flat rate is calculated differently. Every task has a set number of hours to complete it (quick fake example: 4 hours for brakes, 10 hours for a clutch, and so on.) Flat rate mechanics are paid by how many hours the task SHOULD take. If they're a new mechanic and a 4 hour brake job takes them 5 hours, they're still only being paid 4 hours, which isn't advantageous to a new mechanic. But if an experienced mechanic can do 4 hour brake jobs in 3 hours, and gets 3 such brake jobs done in 9 hours of actual work, they will be paid not 9 hours but 12 hours. This is the incentive for senior, knowledgeable mechanics to move quickly through their work when they know very well how to get it done.
https://www.uti.edu/blog/automotive/hourly-rate-vs-flat-rate-how-auto-mechanics-are-paid
On the topic of average income, in May 2019 the median annual wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics was $42,090, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/automotive-service-technicians-and-mechanics.htm#tab-5
Hourly pay is as you expect: if you work 40 hours, you get paid 40 hours at whatever your negotiated pay is. This is generally how new mechanics are paid.
Flat rate is calculated differently. Every task has a set number of hours to complete it (quick fake example: 4 hours for brakes, 10 hours for a clutch, and so on.) Flat rate mechanics are paid by how many hours the task SHOULD take. If they're a new mechanic and a 4 hour brake job takes them 5 hours, they're still only being paid 4 hours, which isn't advantageous to a new mechanic. But if an experienced mechanic can do 4 hour brake jobs in 3 hours, and gets 3 such brake jobs done in 9 hours of actual work, they will be paid not 9 hours but 12 hours. This is the incentive for senior, knowledgeable mechanics to move quickly through their work when they know very well how to get it done.
https://www.uti.edu/blog/automotive/hourly-rate-vs-flat-rate-how-auto-mechanics-are-paid
On the topic of average income, in May 2019 the median annual wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics was $42,090, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/automotive-service-technicians-and-mechanics.htm#tab-5
Mark Wrobel
5
Answers
Updated
Mark’s Answer
The average salary for an auto mechanic ranges from $26,000 to $57,000 per year.
Frank Hernandez
Mechanic
8
Answers
Buena Park, California
Updated
Frank’s Answer
Unfortunately it varies from shop to shop so the numbers you hear can be very different. But from my experience, it depends of level of skill. Entry level techs usually are minimum wage or just a few dollars more. Mid Level Techs should be getting close to or at the very least double minimum And master or advance level techs should be getting a lot more than double minimum. (Here in California, I’d say $35+)
All in all, Depending on where you are and who you work for and your level of skill, you can make a good living. I worked a dealership making double minimum here in California from 2019-2022 and cleared over 100K every year. Flat rate is a double edged sword. Best of luck
All in all, Depending on where you are and who you work for and your level of skill, you can make a good living. I worked a dealership making double minimum here in California from 2019-2022 and cleared over 100K every year. Flat rate is a double edged sword. Best of luck